Ben Towe grew up in Carroll County, Virginia. He graduated from Mt. Airy (NC) High School in 1968, Davidson College in 1972, and the University of Virginia School of Medicine in 1976. He served in the United States Army Medical Corps from 1976 to 1981. He has practiced Family Medicine in Augusta, Georgia, since 1981. He has been married to Libby Dawson since 1973, and has three daughters; Heather, Mandi, and Sheri, and a son-in-law Grant. Ben enjoys fantasy novels and lists among his heroes JRR Tolkien, Carl Sagan, Gene Roddenberry, Terry Brooks, Piers Anthony, Ray Bradbury, and Peter Jackson. Ben thanks his family for their support; Greg and Grant for their computer savvy; the intrepid D&D party of the early 80’s; Roy, Lib, Sherry, John, Janet, Don, Gary, Jane, and all the hirelings; his father-in-law Garnett Dawson for being -“the “embodiment of a good man.” Ben gives special thanks to Cecilia Ware for the cover illustration.